Dynamo Moscow – SKA

Dynamo Moscow – SKA – 1:2

2 September 2023

In a tight, tense battle, SKA outlasted Dynamo Moscow in the first match of the 2023/2024 KHL regular season, earning a nervy 2:1 triumph.

Dynamo initially drew first blood in the second minute.

Eric O’Dell’s initial effort was kept out by SKA debutant Johan Mattsson, but the unmarked Canadian forward pounced on the rebound and bundled it over the line.

Mattsson was certainly the busier goalkeeper during the maiden period, making 11 saves in comparison to opposite number Ilya Konovalov’s eight. Nevertheless, SKA gradually settled into the match after a nervy start, and our equaliser arrived in the 52^nd second of the second stanza.

Alone on the right faceoff circle, Sergei Tolchinsky thumped home a one-timer after Alex Galchenyuk had brilliantly stolen possession.

The second period saw both teams pile the pressure on each other during different spells. As a consequence of poor discipline, SKA did allow Dynamo to compete on four powerplays during the maiden 40 minutes, but Mattsson pulled off a handful of smart stops thanks to his excellent reading of the game. The crossbar did also come to our rescue on one occasion.

The decisive moment of proceedings arrived in early stages of the third period.

Marat Khairullin registered what turned out to be the game-winner, lashing an unstoppable wrister beyond Konovalov into the far corner on the powerplay from the right wing.

That goal allowed SKA to take firm control of the game. Bossing the game, our players barely allowed Dynamo to get anywhere near Mattsson’s net, displaying calmness and composure to protect possession effectively.

Former SKA forward Nikita Gusev wasted Dynamo’s only real major opportunity of the stanza, as he somehow failed to hit the jackpot with Mattsson already down and out.

Dynamo’s fate was well and truly sealed when Ivan Muranov took a needless 2+2 penalty for head-butting with only two minutes remaining in regulation. Moreover, the Muscovites didn't even receive the chance to swap Konovalov for the extra skater.

SKA will now prepare to face Lada in Tolyatti on Monday. Puck-drop is scheduled for 18:00 Moscow time.

Match protocol:

Dynamo Moscow – SKA – 1:2 (1:0, 0:1, 0:1)

Goals:

1:0 O’Dell (Rashevsky, Menell), 01.42

1:1 Tolchinsky (Galchenyuk), 20.52

1:2 Khairullin (Nikishin, Tolchinsky), 43.01 PPG

Goalkeepers: Konovalov – Mattsson

Shots: 67 – 50

Shots on target: 27 – 28

Faceoffs: 28 – 33

Blocked shots: 13 – 22